This Thursday, January 16, 2025 morning, Françoise Souliman, prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle, met the local media during a press breakfast to discuss figures for 2024 and challenges for the year 2025 to come. on themes such as security, migration management, economics and institutional collaboration. Update on the security aspect.
Fourteen cars burned on New Year's Eve
The start of the year was marked by an assessment of the end-of-year celebrations which Françoise Souliman, prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle describes as “ rather calm “. Thanks to a significant mobilization of law enforcement, with 102 patrols deployed (police, gendarmerie and Sentinel force) and preventive measures such as orders on alcohol consumption and fireworks, the department recorded incidents boundaries. “ We had fourteen vehicles burned, which is a low range for us », specifies the prefect.
During the same night, in the gendarmerie zone, with forty interventions, criminal acts decreased by 45% compared to the previous year. Another observation, the reinforced presence in Mont-Saint-Martin, with half a CRS company and rapid arrests, made it possible to avoid any major overflow.
Drugs, harassment on public transport, the challenges of everyday safety
Concerning daily security, the prefect detailed the outlines of the new departmental action plan for the restoration of daily security (PADRSQ), in line with the guidelines of the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau.
This action plan must be submitted to the government by January 20, indicates the prefecture of Meurthe-et-Moselle and has been the subject of discussions which will initiate actions during the coming year. Seven operational and priority actions have been defined such as securing social housing with the fight against intimidation and trafficking in partnership with social landlords.
Françoise Souliman also mentioned safety in public transport with coordination between national and municipal police to limit incivility and harassment. On the cross-border aspect, the strengthening of cross-border cooperation with issues such as drug trafficking transiting through Luxembourg and Belgium or the management of hazardous waste with foreign companies, particularly Luxembourg companies, depositing illegal materials, sometimes containing asbestos. Among the other priorities, the fight against drug trafficking with the deployment of a new “Net Place” operation from the first quarter of 2025.
The Prefecture also mentions support for victims of domestic violence with certain openings such as the Women's House which will play a key role in this area. Finally, the management of illegal occupations of land: with 122 cases in 2024, Françoise Souliman wants better coordinated evictions to avoid disturbances to public order and incivility.
Migration policy: increasing results in Meurthe-et-Moselle
On the migration issue, Françoise Souliman highlighted the significant efforts of the department. In 2024, 300 people were removed from the territory, an increase of 22% compared to 2023. Among them, 112 were responsible for serious problems. The prefect also highlights a rate of achievement of the Obligations to Leave the French Territory (OQTF) of 40%, compared to a national average of 20%.
A significant proportion of these removals concern people placed in detention: “We removed more than 50 people directly upon their release from prison, thanks to coordinated management.”
A meeting of the living forces on July 14
If Françoise Souliman deviated from the traditional ceremony of wishes to the living forces, the first representative of the State in Meurthe-et-Moselle announced an unprecedented collaboration with Mathieu Klein, Mayor of Nancy and President of the Greater Nancy Metropolis to celebrate on July 14, 2025. After the parade, a reception will be organized in the gardens of the prefecture, bringing together the strong forces of the department. This more sober format aims to reduce costs while strengthening links between local actors.
Furthermore, Françoise Souliman confirmed the arrival of Nizar Azouz as new sub-prefect of the Toul district succeeding Laurent Naves, on January 27. Coming from the prison administration and trained at the ENA, he will provide his expertise in territorial issues.
